Disclaimer: I
don't fancy about action figures
at all.
I never planned to spend a cent in Akihabara.
Peeps, here's my humble opinion. You MUST HAVE some brief ideas of where you're going and what to do when you're there. As I mentioned in my previous post, I planned my itinerary. By having a proper planning, you will be able to avoid some of the troublesome situations, such as asking for directions. I did ask for directions, and that was to double confirm the direction I'm heading to. Japanese might understand your English but it's unlikely you'll feel the same way too. I faced some conversation breakdown when I was in Tokyo, Japanese tend to turn to my boyfriend and speak Japanese, hoping he can translate it to me. We both puzzled and we just nod our head, as if we understand them.
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Eye-catching hair color! |
After having our complimentary breakfast in the hotel, we off to Akihabara, the second attraction in my itinerary.
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The first building we saw after walking out from Akihabara Station. |
Akihabara, Tokyo - thought half day in Akihabara was more than enough, considering we both didn't have anything to buy there. But Club Sega prove me wrong!
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Akihabara is love! |
Club Sega is a red-colored building with 6-floors of gaming arcade and crane machines/lifting machines/claw machines! Don't be surprise to see at least 3-floors of crane machines because Japanese DO spend time and money to win the prizes. Unlike in our country.
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One of the prizes of crane machines. |
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One Piece. |
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The first claw machine I played. |
Technically, you don't claw nor lift the prize. These prizes are string-attached to a round shaped adapter which connected to a rectangular platform. Lift the adapter from the rectangular platform seems easy, but it's freaking hard for a first timer like me! You need to control the throttle carefully, because you only get to
adjust it twice, one for side-to-side and another one is for
front-to-back.
I remembered it was 500YEN = 6 times for the claw machine in the photo above. It was indeed a bad investment, I've inserted 1000YEN, the prize never moved from its initial place! I decided to give up because the machine is cheating!
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Initial D, anyone? |
Rows and rows of capsule machines. From 200YEN to 500YEN, pick one! Seriously, if my siblings came with me, all of us will went crazy! Craziness is infectious among siblings, trust me.
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Childhood memory. |
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One Piece for my sister and Gundam for my brother. |
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Got a super cute one! |
Super excited with the capsule I
won bought! The capsule was so tight and I intended to bite it off, the boyfriend opened it for me with just one turn. He's my super hero.
Before we went to the higher floor, I passed by the claw machine which I've invested 1000 YEN, I decided to give it another try. Put in 500 YEN. I've already used up 2 of the 6 times, started to get frustrated because the adapter won't move an inch for god's sake! It tipped me off and one second before I flipped over the machine, a guy approached and started to speak in Japanese with some hand gestures, pointing at the claw. I didn't catch him at first based on my limited understanding of Japanese, the boyfriend asked me to move from the throttle. I asked the Japanese guy to show it to me
AND HE'S SUPER GENIUS WON A SET FOR ME!
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I was super happy don't even bother to pose better to cover my fat arm. |
1500YEN for an action figures? Seriously?! Thanks him for a million times! The drumset was meant for the boyfriend, I was jealous and I want a set too! Obviously I couldn't win one for myself so I shamelessly asked this One-Piece guy if he could help and win another one for me. And he said yes! Why is he so friendly and nice! I showed him the prize, it's a Mermaid character in One Piece. Don't be surprise, he won it! Just cost me 500 YEN for the beautiful-sexy-mermaid!
Although I knew he was going to win it, I can't help myself and screamed excitedly the moment my prize dropped off from the adapter. One of the Club Sega staff approached me and knelt down! I was shocked and in a split second thought it was a royal treatment for every winner. I laughed at my own thought when she congrats me gracefully and packed my prizes with a big plastic bag. The crowd gave me a big applause. Ok, I'm sold. I will be back, Club Sega.
It's not just that. Akihabara has more than that to offer! We walked out from Club Sega and wandered around, until we saw another multi-floor building. It's a jaw dropping action figures paradise, don't doubt about it. I bought my Darth Vader iPhone power bank, iPhone accessory SAW puppet head (glow in the dark), Star Wars chopsticks, Transformers figures, robot figures and Warcraft figures here!
OH MY GODDESS!
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Skuld, Belldandy and Urd! |
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Belldandy! The second sister of the Trio Goddess, my favorite. |
Oh My Goddess is my childhood memory. I remembered when my elder sister played the anime for the very first time and since then I can't stop watching the anime, until my sister enrolled into a half-boarding school.
After all the vulnerable time of deciding what to buy and what not, it's time for
nom-nom-nom! Order-via-vending machine is one of my must-do list in Tokyo. Before flying, I spent some time on the internet trying to locate some of the noddle shops with vending machine. Apparently, almost all the noodle shops we went, they have it! Frankly speaking, I think we should have this kind of order system here. It's so annoying to see some diners take their own sweet time flipping through the menu, while there is a long queue outside the restaurant. Freaking inconsiderate.
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Took us 2 minutes to decide. |
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Self service. |
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His first udon and rice in Tokyo. |
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First udon in Tokyo. |
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Beef. |
We ordered based on pictures shown on the buttons. Not sure if it was because of the freaking hot weather (Summer), all the noodle shops we dine-in, they offered ice cold water without extra charges. I drank a lot. Every morning before I walk out from the hotel cafeteria, I will refill my water bottles with the ice-cold orange juice. YES, water bottles, 6 of them to be exact. And one with ice-cold water.
That was the main reason why the bag that I borrowed from my younger sister teared up. Will buy a new one for her in Hong Kong as compensate to her generosity of letting me bring her bag to Tokyo without asking for her permission, lol.
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Happy jump! |
Previous post on
Tsukiji Fish Market.
All the photos are taken using an Olympus EPL-1. Passionate in lomography and traveling. Appreciate your supports and thank you for reading this post, kindly leave footprints at my facebook page. Roslyn Kong at Instagr.am. Let me hear from you on Twitter too at @roslynkong!!